Silver flatware was once the ultimate wedding gift and completing twelve place settings a goal for many brides. How times have changed, but the loveliness of a table set with sterling has not diminished.
Many of us inherited some sterling from various relatives of differing patterns and eras and in odd quantities. Before you sell it off for far less than it’s worth, consider a change of heart, especially if you’re willing to bust a few outdated myths.
Sterling Silverware Myths
Myth #1 Don’t put sterling in the dishwasher
Gone are the days that sterling had to be hand-washed. You can safely wash sterling and china on a delicate setting in the dishwasher, sometimes called a “light setting” or “glass setting” or you can throw it in with everything else on the normal setting and let it be washed. Sterling is so infrequently used that a trip through the dishwasher a few times a year is perfectly fine. The only exception is a hollow-handled serving piece since water can get inside it.
Myth #2 Five pieces make a place-setting
A separate, tiny butter knife feels unnecessary. Most of us entertain by buffet line and many guests will bypass a roll. Sterling knives are useless too, unless they have a serrated edge. But sterling forks are a different story; they are heavy in the hand and spear food with aplomb. I guarantee a meal tastes better with a silver fork. And, no, it doesn’t matter if they are dinner size or what’s called luncheon size.
Myth #3 Sterling needs to be polished
Sterling can be stored tarnished; it can even be used tarnished. In every other category of antiques, it’s called “patina” so it’s okay if your silver isn’t blindingly bright. It takes a long time for sterling to get darkly patinaed so use it as-is and polish it every now and then. Fill a sink with really hot water and let sterling soak for 15 minutes. Clean it with baking soda
and a sponge. You need nothing else.
Myth #4 Don’t mix sterling and stainless
A sterling fork and a steel knife on a cloth napkin is my preferred table setting. Use sterling forks just for dessert or sterling serving pieces that are pretty in hand and perfectly sized to scoop a side dish or slice a pie. There are no rules to break, only dinner parties not thrown.
The South’s Favorite Patterns
It seems like there are as many sterling patterns as there are stars in the sky but in the South, several have become perennial favorites. From top houses, these silver patterns not only stand-alone but work beautifully mixed together.
Francis First and Old Maryland Engraved
The combination of the highly ornate Reed & Barton pattern aside Kirk Stieff’s stem engraved flatware makes for stunning table
Strasbourg and Repousee Gorham’s
most popular pattern with its perimeter arcs is an ideal accompaniment to Kirk Stieff’s heavy embossed, all-over florals.
Buttercup and Royal Danish
The sweetness of Gorham’s open-faced flowers pairs well with the geometry of International Silver’s linear pattern.
Rose Point and William & Mary
The unmistakable pattern by Wallace is matched in beauty by the subtle embossed edge of Lunt’s iconic hand.
Selling the Good Stuff
So, you’ve decided to divest of the family sterling, but how do you go about selling it? It’s a tradeoff of time and money. To garner the most for your sterling, sell it piece by piece. If time is short, then do the research and locate a buyer who wants it all for a much lower price.
eBay
The go-to for selling sterling piece by piece, eBay can offer you the option of an online auction or a buy it now offering. Use eBay’s pricing tools for what’s selling at the moment and it’s best to include shipping inside your price.
Etsy
Consider Etsy for sterling pieces, especially for breaking up a mass of sterling into sets, such as six forks or two serving spoons. Mention other pieces available in your listings. Etsy tends to attract regional antique dealers.
